Your walking comfort starts at the bottom - your shoes and socks.
One Month Before
You have enough time to get fit for a pair of walking shoes. The trick is to go to the store in your area that caters to serious runners and has a sales staff interested in getting you into a well-fit pair of shoes. Then you must walk in them through the month, every day, to know that they work well. See my Walking Shoe Guide for full information on what to look for in walking shoes.
Two Weeks or Less
You don't have time to find and break in a new pair of shoes - your best bet is to use your favorite sneakers. Where you can make a difference is with your socks. Forget about cotton socks, get to an athletic store and buy a pair of CoolMax socks or blister-resistant socks. These wick away the sweat to keep your feet dry and less prone to blistering.
Blister Busters
A big problem for those going on a long walk for which they haven't adequately trained is blisters. Fight these the easy way - coat your feet with petroleum jelly before you put on your socks. If you have been practicing and get blisters in an area despite petroleum jelly, then cover those areas with moleskin or a bandage before you walk.
Shin Splints
Are your shins hurting when you walk? This is typical for people who are new to walking. Shins only get exercised by walking, and when you change your walking speed, distance, or shoes you will hear about it from your shins. Stop and rest a bit. Then slow down and take smaller steps. Read more: How to Prevent and Treat Shin Splints
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